M0: Wicked Problem Paper

{“Document”:”This document is a 2-page paper that summarizes the chosen Wicked Problem, ‘Surveillance Capitalism, Data Privacy, and the Commoditization of Personal Information’. It examines the driving forces behind this problem and begins to outline a potential approach for solving it. The paper addresses and includes an introduction to the Wicked Problem, a problem statement, a discussion on the current situation and impact, a discussion of the forces and factors which drive/influence the Wicked Problem, potential approaches to solving the Wicked Problem, and a conclusion.\n\nQuotes:\n\n’My wicked problem examines the issue of data privacy and the commodification of personal information. The approach I’ve taken throughout this program is based on the assumption that individuals should have a say in what happens with their own sensitive personal data, and they should be able to choose what information is shared and with who. My proposed solution, “Alias,” offers a way for individuals to reclaim control of their personal data and transact in a digital world without the risk of having sensitive information leaked, sold, stolen, and shared.’\n\n’Several key forces continually drive this wicked problem including the push for data extraction and analysis for commercial purposes, and the expectation of personalized services for users of digital platforms (Varian, 2010). In addition, the following factors present real-world constraints and complexities which introduce social/cultural challenges: Data commodification. The unchecked growth of surveillance capitalism driven by the commodification of personal data for profit-making purposes (Regan, 2013). Weak data protection laws / regulations. Regulatory policy in the U.S. has been characterized by hesitancy to over-regulate or hamstring powerful tech companies. Surveillance capitalism thrives where regulation is viewed as a drag on free enterprise (Laidler & Zuboff, 2019). User dependence on “free” apps. The public’s familiarity and dependence on “free” advertising-based services like Google, lack of viable alternatives, and low awareness about the implications of their digital behavior (Laidler & Zuboff, 2019).’\n\n’My proposed solution is a privacy-based mobile app called “Alias” which enables users to mask their private information by using virtual identities or “digital pseudonyms” to transact with the online world without exposing their personal information. Alias provides cloaking features such as alias phone numbers, alias email addresses, and virtual debit cards which provide a layer of “1-step removed” protection to obfuscate a user’s identity. This thwarts attempts by data brokers and aggregators to uniquely identify individuals and build advertising profiles based on these unique attributes.’\n\nReferences:\n\nM0: Wicked Problem Paper (Pasted Text)”}